The Editor:
Who should be your next Whatcom County Sheriff? Present Whatcom County Undersheriff Doug Chadwick or present Blaine city Police Chief Donnell Tanksley? The position of county sheriff is unique in that he/she is “your” law enforcement leader – directly. The sheriff is not via a bureaucratic administration (so far), as municipal and state departments are. You elect who will be your sheriff – directly.
Any individual who elects to function in a public peacekeeping role, line or command, deserves our respect and gratitude – explicitly. Both Doug and Donnell deserve this. Thank you both.
However, when it comes to evaluating which of these two valued law enforcement individuals is best suited to be your next Whatcom County Sheriff, present undersheriff Doug Chadwick is eminently more qualified. Simply, his 29 impeccable years with the sheriff’s office, including being undersheriff for the past four, should be enough of a differentiating qualifier. He also has served as narcotics detective field training office, task force officer for DEA and ATF, and many other strategic supervisory roles. Doug has been a life-long resident of Whatcom County; knows well and has inherent empathy for the county and its residents (you) and is solely interested in continuing to do so – not simply pursuing another career objective.
Chief Tanksley is likely a sound law enforcement individual, however there’s little value for Whatcom County citizens to engage in an experiment in new leadership of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
Please find time to familiarize yourself with Undersheriff Chadwick’s impressive background. Visit votedougchadwick.com.
Peter and Susan Werner
Blaine
The Editor:
The main culprit in the Cain Creek tree death due to English Ivy invasion appears to be the adjacent U.S. Post Office, which apparently planted the ivy as ground cover around the building. Removing the ivy from the post office and the remaining Cain Creek evergreens – that form a backdrop of the civic center – is a good volunteer project. Since Cain Creek is the only greenway in Blaine, maybe someone will start a Friends of Cain Creek.
Jay Taber
Blaine
The Editor:
I am writing to express my support of Blaine school board candidate Ben Lazarus. I didn’t know Ben Lazarus when he announced his candidacy, but I have been so impressed by him that I wanted to write and encourage others to see what a great opportunity we have as a community to elect him.
Mr. Lazarus has been doing his research to truly understand what powers the school board has and what he will be able to do as a school board member. He has also been spending countless hours reaching out to individuals and groups like the parent teacher organizations. His motivations are very clearly to be of service to the community and be a thoughtful and educated member of the school board.
In these times of divisive politics, we need to elect people who are willing to work the job they are elected to do. We need people who won’t spend their time posturing and making a scene, but instead educating themselves so they can make the best decisions possible for our community. Ben Lazarus is absolutely that candidate.
Ben Lazarus will do a wonderful job representing Blaine families and students.
Jenna Schrengohst
Blaine
The Editor:
One of the best ways to evaluate candidates is to look at the people and organizations endorsing them. We may not have known the candidate for long, but we have trusted some leaders and groups for many years.
Doug Chadwick, a 29-year Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office veteran, is currently undersheriff and is running for Whatcom County Sheriff. He has one of the most diverse and impressive endorsements ever. He is endorsed by the current sheriff, Bill Elfo, and our previous two sheriffs. Longtime Whatcom County prosecuting attorney Dave McEachran endorses Doug Chadwick. Six active or retired police chiefs in Whatcom County also support him, as do many others in law enforcement.
Labor is a big backer of Doug Chadwick, endorsed by the Northwest Washington Central Labor Council and Teamsters Local 231/Joint Council 28. Other respected groups endorsing him are the Whatcom County Association of Realtors, the Whatcom County Farm Bureau, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 24 and the Associated General Contractors of Washington.
Elected officials who endorse Doug Chadwick include former Whatcom County Executive Jack Louws (2012-2019), Port of Bellingham commissioner Ken Bell, three Whatcom County Council members and four Whatcom County mayors.
Please join all of them and me in voting for Doug Chadwick for Whatcom County Sheriff in the November 7 general election.
Kendra Cook
Bellingham
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here